Robert Restemyer

Robert E. Restemyer, 82, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Dec. 8, 1927, in Pemberville, Ohio, to Gilbert and Anna Hohls Restemyer. He was formerly married to Evelyn Mueller, who passed away in 2008, and to Gayanne Gutherz.

Restemyer graduated from Fostoria, Ohio, High School and from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester (N.Y.), one of the nation's top music schools. In his senior year he was one of only three people to receive the prestigious Performance Award. He received a master's degree from Iowa State University.

Restemyer led the Army Band at Fort Dix in Trenton, N.J. He taught at West Virginia Wesleyan, University of Iowa, Thiel College (Pa.) before taking a teaching position at Southeast Missouri State University. He was associate professor of music at Southeast (theory, brass) from 1964 to 1994 and was the Symphony Band conductor.

He was a longtime automobile enthusiast, one of the few 50-year members of Sports Car Club of America and an ardent supporter of The Nature Conservancy and San Diego Zoo. He was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Survivors include a son, Kurt (Kelley) Restemyer of Seabrook, Texas; two daughters, Linda (John) Mielke of Lake Worth, Fla., Rebecca Wheeler of Festus, Mo.; a sister, Carol Berberian of Asheville, N.C.; six grandchildren, Rachael Mielke, Mallory Wheeler, Kelsey Wheeler, Leah Restemyer, Conrad Restemyer and Lacey Restemyer.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Max Restemyer.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to Daniel O. Dunavan Percussion Scholarship, Department of Music at Southeast University, 1 University Plaza, MS 7800, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, Attention: Beverly Belth.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.